A plethora of little issues...

[zkahle]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you all could shine some light on some minor issues I've been experiencing, I am thinking that they are all somewhat interconnected.

1) A while back I noticed that when on the highway at speeds above 65 miles per hour that I begin to experience a decreased steering feel/response. I can literally jerk the wheel a good half inch or so and really not have the car respond at all.

2) This one puzzles me... Occasionally when I am breaking the wheel feels as if it is being pulled to the left of the right (it varies). This does not happen all the time, I'd say it happens once every few days. It only happens when I am trying to come to a complete stop and happens regardless of whether or not it is a quick sudden stop or a gradual one.

3) The steering response seems to be tighter or quicker when turning to the left compared to turning the wheel to the right. I am experiencing this at any speed.

Factors possibly contributing to the issue... The car is lowered on eibach sportline springs. Has 18x9.5 + 38 wheels/rims (trying to please everyone). I know the wheel fitment cuts it close but I have always checked for rubbing on my wheels and it doesn't seem to be the case. Also have a aftermarket DCTMS steering wheel but its essentially the stock wheel with carbon fiber that I took off and reinstalled on the car. I should mention that after I reinstalled the wheel it was never perfectly aligned.

What do you all think?

[jvincent]

Did you get it aligned after the spring install?

Have you checked the tire pressures?

Given the wheel size you are probably running wide tires, which is not going to help with issue #1.

[churchx]

First thing i'd check tires pressure, and then alignment (if there had been any bigger shocks to car/suspension since times when you hadn't noticed such behaviour).

edit
lol, i should have refreshed before posting
P.S.
I assumed that after suspension mods you HAD done realignment? If not, highly suggested.
Another probability .. maybe you have changed tires to some with soft sidewalls? But given even lower/less flexible sidewall for tires on 18" then on 17" imho that's less probable.

[Mr.ac]

Tire pressure, alginment.
One of your tires maybe 40psi and the other 28psi. Not low enough to trigger the TPS warning light.

If that's not the issues it could be odd worn tires. Which is due to alignment

[wparsons]

I'd say check (in this order) tire pressures, tie rod end play, ball joint play and alignment.

You can check the tie rod ends by jacking up the car and grabbing the tire at 9 and 3, then trying to turn the wheel slightly. Feel for any play where the wheel moves really easily. If both front wheels are in the air you'll be able to move the whole rack left/right, but there will be resistance.

You can check the ball joints the same way, but grab at 12 and 6 and try to rock the wheel feeling for play.

If you get play on both axis', it could be both parts worn or a bad bearing.

[Ashikabi]

Agree with all the above above

[CBR600RR]

apparently 3+ = a plethora

[ZionsWrath]

Also consider it might be in your head? Not every road is a smooth level piece of glass, even if it looks so. I know we love our cars and notice every little thing but it might just be normal.

[slicktop]

Did you get an alignment after your drop? That would 100% be the issue.

[justatroll]

There is a sensor that tells the system when the steering is centered.
Perhaps your lowering threw off that sensor and it needs to be reset?


And the steering response is supposed to be less when moving at speed as the electric assist may not help you at all above a certain speed.

[smg1138]

Originally Posted by CBR600RR

apparently 3+ = a plethora

Jefe, what is a plethora?

[justatroll]

Originally Posted by smg1138

Jefe, what is a plethora?

The opposite of a Dearth

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by justatroll

There is a sensor that tells the system when the steering is centered.
Perhaps your lowering threw off that sensor and it needs to be reset?

That's really only used for assist and VSC. It doesn't have any other effects on how the car behaves.

Originally Posted by justatroll

And the steering response is supposed to be less when moving at speed as the electric assist may not help you at all above a certain speed.

Even if the assist was the issue, he mentioned that actually turning the wheel isn't giving him the response he's expecting. If it was the assist it would be harder to turn the wheel, but the car would still respond to steering inputs the same as usual.

[justatroll]

Originally Posted by wparsons

That's really only used for assist and VSC. It doesn't have any other effects on how the car behaves.




Even if the assist was the issue, he mentioned that actually turning the wheel isn't giving him the response he's expecting. If it was the assist it would be harder to turn the wheel, but the car would still respond to steering inputs the same as usual.

See this thread for a similar issue:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95982

Originally Posted by xingxingtjf

Hi Experts,

I had an accident (about the accident: I was on the dragon tail and I went into a ditch on the right side. So I assume there was a big impact on the right side of the car.) with my 2014 brz and after the body shop fix I always have this steering wheel feeling - left turn is much lighter than the right turn. I also took it to the dealer and they did all the check and said everything is fine based on the test they can do. But one of them took a ride and also noticed the same feeling. Then I took it to my mechanic friend and we checked the alignment and turned out the rear lower control arm is bad so I replaced them with the adjustable SPC ones. I feel much better now but still I have the same feeling. My mechanic friend said if suspension now is good the problem probably lies on the steering part. Maybe it is the steering motor.

I took a ride tonight and feel my car always tries to turn left itself especially at speed between 5-10mph. This feeling is very obvious when the road is bumpy.

What do you guys think? Any suggestion is welcome! I have been dealing with this for over 2 months now. I just want the steering to be the way it was. Please help

Originally Posted by stugray

You could test the system with the electrical steering assist disconnected.
It is likely just a fuse, but I have never tried it.

It should be harder to steer in both directions with no assist, but see if you can feel a difference in left vs right turning with no assist.

What you are explaining sounds like the steering system is confused and trying to help more in one dir than the other (bias). As if the sensor is off center or has hysteresis.

Originally Posted by xingxingtjf

Hey guys,

The problem is solved!! It is the steering sensor not centered/calibrated. This should have been done by the first body shop. Or this should be detected easily by the dealer. I guess both of them failed this time. Any way, problem solved! Hopefully this thread will help other people too.

Sounds like the sensor is off to me, but I'm not as smart as that stugray guy....